Washing machine



June 24,

J, F. LAMB ET AL WASHING MACHINE Filed March 17. 1,9975 4 sheetasheetamvawtoz Mia F. LAK EEB 521T NASH ING MACHINE 4 sheefis -shem FiledMarch 17 1923 mhn $13.. v

I a'mmamtoz T [4 MM (xiv awaws J F. LAME ET AL WASHING MACHINE FiledMarch 192: Sheets-Sheet amvewto z \q 3& Watt JW 7 www- Z47 J, F. LAMB ETAL.

WASHING MACHINE Filed March- 1'7. 1925 4 Sheet8-Sheei w l. x 1

Patented June 24, 31924.

UNHTED STATEF lhdddlltid manna caries,

J F. LAMB AND ERNEST TWIGG, OF NEW BRITAIN, GO'NNECTIGUT, ASSIGNOJR S TLANDERS, FRARY 8s CLARK, OF NEW BRITAIN, GQNNEGTICUT, CORPOTIQNQFCONNECTICUT.

WASHING FEACHINE.

Application filed march 17, 1923. serial Ito. 625,708.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Josnrn F. LAMB and ERNEST Twice, citizens of theUnited States, residing at New Britain, county of Hartford, and State ofConnecticut, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements inWashing Machines, fully described and represented in the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.7

This invention relates to washing machines,

lt is the principal object of the invention to provide an improvedwashing machine and more particularly a machine of the type in which atub or container is rocked to eiiect the washing.

With this general object in'view the invention consists in thecombinations, details.

of construction and arrangements of parts which will first be describedin connection with the accompanying drawings and then more articularlypointed out.

In t e drawings Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with parts invertical section and parts broken away, of a washing machine constructedin accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2'is an end view of the same with parts broken away and parts insection;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view (enlargedt of part of the machine, with partsin section; Fig. 4 is a detail view showing in vertical section, and.partly in elevation, the gear housing and the parts enclosed therein;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of one side of the machine, with parts insection and parts broken away; 1

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the tub; v Fig. 8 is adiagrammatic view illustrating the tub moycment'; i

Fig. ,9 is a transverse sectional View through the tub and its mounting;

Fig. 10 is aview similar to part of Fig. 1 showing adifferent positionof the parts;

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing a modified form of clutch mechanism;and

Fig.'12 is a; sectional view taken on thebroken line 1212 of Fi 11. m NReferring to the drawings, there is pro- VlClQCl, in the exemplificationhere illustrated,

a rocking tub oiicontainer for the articles,

,frame and support the various parts.

e. g. clothes, to be washed and in structures embodying the inventiontothe best advantage, the tub is of a form to give a figure $1 movementto the contents when the tub is rocked. As here shown, as an example,the tub 11, has flat vertical sides 12, which have, in outline, the formillustrated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 10. As there apnears, thesesides have a shape which may be described as an ellipse with its loweredge distorted upwardly to form a central hump 13. The two sides 12 areconnected by a transverse wall 14 which follows the pe riphery of theside walls except that its ends are spaced apart at the top to define anopen in 15, for the introduction, of the articles to e washed. In thisopening is a cover 16 having handles 17 and supported on ledges 18formed on a false wal-l19 set into the tub surrounding the opening 15.As appears in Fig. 7, the tub has in longitudinal section, roughly theshape oi a figure d.

There is provided a frame in which the tub is pivotally mounted .torockin the direction of its length. While thexpivotal mounting may.vary, it may conveniently include bosses on the tub which have a rockingbearing on a cross rod which connects the two opposite sides of theframe. Although capable of various constructions, as here shown as anexample, the tub is secured in a skeleton basket 20 which forms, ineffect, part of the tub itself. Ont-he tub midway of each side is aperforate boss 21'which has a rocking bearing on a cross rod '22. Thisrod extends from side to side of the machine just below the crest ofgthehum 13 in the bottom of the tub, and is secure in side brackets 23. Thelatter are mounted a on side frame bars 24 connecting frame corner posts25. With the construction described the tub is given an edectlve pivotal.mounting and the pivot rod acts as a strengthening tie between thesides of the frame.

' cross bars 24 and 124 are strengthening ribs 126 and the corner postsare connected by upper and lower cross braces 127. Other cross braces128 serve to strengthen theframe parts described may conveniently be Theformed from angle bars. At the corners are castors 26 to enable themachine to be moved about readily.

.The invention in its entirety includes means for rocking the tub havinga reciprocating force operating in a vertical plane so as to workagainst the floor or other support on which the machine rests. This maybe accomplished, for example, by a vertically reciprocating elementhaving a connection with a gear on the tub and in structures embodyingthe invention to what is now considered the best advantage theconnection is such as to give a compound motion. structions, in theembodiment here illustrated as an example, secured to one of the bosses21, so as to be concentric with the tub pivot is a gear 27 which has asleeve, 28 journaled in part of bracket 23, as appears in Fig. 9.Meshing with gear 27 is a segmental gear 29 carried in or formed as partof an arm 30 pivoted as at 31 to'a bracket 32 in the frame. The arm 30and its segmental gear are reciprocable in a vertical plane and as thearm is oscillated it causes the tub, through gears 29 and 27, to rockabout its pivot. As hereinafter described, the arm 30 is oscillated by avertically reciprocating plunger, so that with the constructiondescribed not only is the force applied in an up and down direction buta compound motion is effected which makes possible a considerable tubmovement.

There is provided a rotary drive shaft and a motion-convertingconnection between the drive shaft and the gear 29 whereby the rotationof the shaft causes reciprocation of the gear. In .structures embodyingthe invention to the best advantage, a vertically slidable plunger isconnected with the arm 30 and is operated by means of a cam rotated bythe drive shaft. Although capable of various constructions, in that hereillustrated as an example, carried by the frame is an electric motor 33which has a drive shaft 34 suitably connected with its armature. Thisshaft extendsinto a gear hous= mg 35 and has on its outer'end a worm 36.The worm meshes with a worm wheel 37 keyed to a vertical shaft 38 havingits ends ]ournaled in the walls of the housing 35, the worm beingprovided with a step bearmg 39.

Rotatably connected with the shaft 38, for example by means of atongue-and-groove connection with the worm wheel'37, is the hub 40 of acam 41. The cam here shown as an example has a fiat upper surfaceobliquely located with respect to the shaft 38, so that, at a givenpoint, the cam has a regular rise and fall. Riding on the upper face ofthe cam is a frustro-conical roller 42 1ournaled on a pin 43 secured toa crosshead 44 sliding on vertical guides 45. As

Although capable of various conracemes appears in Fig. 4, the lower faceof the cam 41 is beveled to accommodate a lower frustroconical roller142 mounted on a pin 143 carried by the cross-head 44. Secured to thecross-head to move therewith is a plunger 46 sliding in a bearing sleeve47, carried by the housing. As the drive shaft rotates,

the rise and fall of the cam 41 causes a reciprocation of the plunger 46which, through the connection to be described, causes oscillation of thearm 30.

With the construction described, the motion-converting parts may operatein oil within the gear housing, and by changing the cam design the tubmovement may be controlled as desired. Further, the cam described may becast in one piece and is easily assembled.

The invention in its entirety includes a clutch connection between thetub and the power source. In constructions of the type above described,this is conveniently effected by providing a clutch connection betweenthe plunger 46 and the arm 30 so that it is between the tub and the cam.Although capable of various constructions, in that illustrated'in Figs.1-3 and 10, hinged to a coupling 50 carried by the upper end of theplunger 46 is a link 51 extending through a slot 52 formed in the arm30. The link 51 has a notch 53 adapted to engage a pin 54 extendingacross the slotted portion of the arm 30,. When the link is moved to asubstantially vertical position, with its notch engaging thepin (Fig.1), the arm 30 is connected with plunger 46 to be oscillated thereby,link 51 in this position constituting in effect, a continuation of theplunger 46. When, however, the link is displaced along the slot toremove its notch from engagement with the pin (Fig. 10), arm 30 andlunger 46 are disconnected, the link movmg idlv in the slot as theplunger reciprocates. n this position of the parts, although the plunger46 may be reciprocating, the tub is no lon er rocked.

With t e construction described not only may the tub be stopped Withoutstopping the motor, but the tub is free to be moved into any desiredposition by hand. V

There is provided means for operating the clutch connection. Althoughcapable of various constructions, in that here shown as an example,pivoted to the upper end of the link 51 is one end of a link 55, theother end of which is ivoted to a. lever 56. The latter is pivotailymounted on a lug 57 carried by the frame and has an operating handle orknob 58 located abovethc frame to be readily accessible to the operator.When the handle is operated to swing lever 56, the clutch link 51 isswung into or out of clutching position. It is noted that if the linkdoes not happen to be in position to have its 3 notch register with theclutch pin at the inmes es stant the link is moved to connect up theparts, such registry is effected almost immediately because of thecontinuous movement of the linln To hold the parts in either position,in the present embodiment there is provided a spring 59 which isconnected between the pivot of link 55 and lever 56 and a lug 60 locatedvertically above the lever pivot. With this construction, when the leveris swung in either direction the spring crosses a center line and servesto hold the parts for either position of the clutch link 51. 1 In Figs.11 and 12 there is illustrated an-' other form of clutch device In thiscon struction the segmental gear 29 is carried by an arm 67 which islike arm 30- except that in place of'the long slot 52, there is provideda shorter slot 68.. Through this slot extends a link 69 which may beconnected to or disconnected from arm 67. To this end, as here shown,there is provided a clutch pin 70 slidable in a tubular housing 71 whichextends outwardly from the slotted portion of the arm 67. By insertingthe pin 70 through a hole 72 in the link, link and arm are connectedtogether so that the arm is oscillated as thelink reciprocates, thisposition of the parts being shown in Figs. 11

and 12. To disconnect the link so that the arm will remain idle and sothat the tub can be moved byhand, the pin 7 O is withdrawnv from thehole in the link by a knob or handle 73. Upon such withdrawal of thepin, the link will reciprocate idly in the slot of the arm. The partsare again connected by pushing the pin into the hole, registry beingeflected as the link moves. The pin is held in one position or the otherby means of a spring-pressed ball 7 4 engaging notches 7 5 in the pin.

While the motion converting mechanism has been described in connectionwith a rocking tub and as being connected with the tub through a clutchdevice, it is to be understood that this mechanism may be used invarious other forms of washing machines and may be connected up invarious ways, without departing from the invention.

There is provided means for aiding in re versing the movement of the tubwhen it is rocked. As here shown as an example, extending downwardlyfrom each boss 21 and concentric therewith is a lug 80, to the end ofwhich is pivoted a yoke 81. .Connected to each yoke is one end of acoiled spring 82, its other end being connected to an anchor in theform'of an eye bolt 83 secured tothe frame. When the tub is in a normalposition, i. -e., symmetrically located with respect to its pivot, thetub pivot, the pivot between the lug and the spring, and the anchor alllie in a straight vertical line (Fig. 1). When, therefore, the tub isrocked in either direction, the swing of the lugs extends the springs.(Fig. 8), and the force of the springs, at the end of the stroke, aids1n reversing the tub movement. The springs also tend 0 hold the tub inor return-it to normal position when the clutch is disconnected.

The various parts above described are, in the embodiment hereillustrated, enclosed in a casing or housing. As here shown as anexample, at each side is a fixed panel 85, bounded by the lower side bar124, the corner posts 25 and the tops side'beams 125, the panel beingsecured to the frame in any suitable manner. At each end are two hingedpanels opening outwardly. To this end, as here illustrated, secured tothe upper crossribs 127 are hinge plates 86. To the upper edge of eachplate86 is hinged'a top panel 87 bounded at the sides by the cornerposts 25, and extendin upwardly to the top of the corner posts (Fig.2).These top panels 87 are yieldably held closed by springs 88. Hinged tothe lower edge of each plate 86 is a lower panel '89 bounded by theplate 86, the corner posts 25, and the lower side bars 127 (Fig. 2).These lower panels are normally held closed by gravity or in any othersuitable manner, but may be swung open when desired.

In connection with the drive shaft there is provided means for driving awringer.

As here shown as an example, keyed to shaft gether with water and soap,may be put into,

the tub by removing the cover 16. Assuming that the motor is running'todrive the shaft 34 and that the clutch is connected, rotation of the cam41 causes a reciprocation of the plunger 46 as above described. Thisreciprocation oscillates arm 30 (or arm 67) and reciprocates rack 29,thereby to rock the tub through gear 27.

Fig. 8 illustrates the movement of the tub. The broken lines indicatethe position of the tub at one end of its movement and as will beapparent the contents will be moved into the down end. Springs 82 areextended so as to aid in reversing the motion. then rocks to theposition indicated by the full lines in Fig. 8. During this movement thesprings 82 cross their center line and are again extended. As the tubrocks, the contents slide down the slope of the hump 13 toward the downend of the tub and take an upward turn following the rounded end wallsomewhat in the manner shown by the arrows in Fig. 8. Continued rockingof the tub causes the contents'to move in a figure 8 path.

The tub may be stopped by stopping the The tub motor or by th'eclutchconnection described.

By openingthe hinged panels it is possible to gain ready access to anyof the parts.

With the construction described the tub is given an effective washingmovement and with the force of the rocking mechanism working against thefloor, the machine even with castors on a smooth surface, remainsstationary without any tendency to wal The working parts are housed bythe easing panels so that the operator is protected at all parts of themachine. The rocking mechanism is such that the unhoused parts requiresubstantially no oiling, thus making possible a clean machine.

What we claim is:

1. Ina washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, and means for rocking the tub includingmechanism reciprocating substantially at right angles to the floor orother support on which the machine rests.

2. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, and means for rocking the tub having itsreciprocating force act- 'ing in a vertical direction, whereby the forceworks against the floor or other support on which the machine rests.'

3. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, avertically movable plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger, and aconnection between't-he plunger and the tub for rocking the tub uponreciprocation of the plunger.

4. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with t e tub, a segmentalgear meshing with said gear, and means'having its operating forceworking in a vertical direction for reciproeatin said segmental gear.

5. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmentalgear meshing with said gear, and arm carrying said segmental gear andpivoted to move in a vertical plane,

and means for oscillating said arm tore-' and a connection lncluding aclutch between ciprocate the segmental gear..

6. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmentalgear meshing with said gear, a pivoted'arm carrying said segmental gearand movable vertically, a rotary drive shaft, and motion-convertingdriving mechanism connecting said drive shaft and said arm forreciprocating the latter.

7. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmentalgear meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said segmental gearand movable vertically, a vertically movable plunger for oscillatingsaid arm, and means for reciprocating said plunger.

8. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in which thetub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with the tub, a segmentalgear meshing with said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said segmental gearand movable vertically, a vertically movable plunger oscillating saidarm, a 1'0- tary drive shaft, a rotary cam, an operative connectionbetween the cam and said shaft, a connection between said cam and saidplunger for causing reciprocation of the plunger.

9. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, arotary drive shaft, a cam, an operative connection for rotating the camfrom said shaft, a-

cross-head carrying rollers riding on the upper and. lower faces of saidcam, a plunger vertically reciprocated by said cross-head, and aconnection between the plunger and the tub for causing the latter torock upon reciprocation of the plunger.

10. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, whereby the tub may be rocked, a rotary drive shaft,and a rocking element connected with the tub, and a connection includinga clutch between the drive shaft and said element.

11. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein", whereby the tub may be rocked, a gear connected withsaid tub and concentric with the pivot, a rack meshing with said gear, avertical plunger, means for recipro eating said plunger, and aconnection including a clutch between said plunger and said rack.

12. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, a gear connected with the tub, a rack meshing with saidgear, a rotary drive shaft, a vertically movable plunger, amotion-converting connection between the drive shaft and the plunger forcausing the latterto be reciprocated as the shaft rotates,

the plunger and the rack:

13. In a Washingmachine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, a rocking element on the tub, a rotary cam, means forrotating said cam, and a connection, including a clutch, between the camand the rocking element for, reciprocating the latter by the rotation ofthe cam. 14:. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotallymounted tub, a gear connected with the tub, an 'arcuate rack meshingwith said gear, a pivoted arm carrying said rack, a vertically movableplunger, means for reciprocating the plunger, 9. link coupled to saidplunger, and a clutch connection between said link and the arm.

' 15. In a washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub,a gear connected with the tub, an arcuate rack meshing with said gear, apivoted arm carrying said rack, a-vertically movable plunger, means forreciprocating the plunger, a link pivotally coupled to said plunger andprovided with a notch, and a pin on said arm for engagement by saidnotch, whereby the link and arm. may be connected or disconnected.

16. Ina washing machine, and in combination, a pivotally mounted tub, agear connected with the tub, an arcuate rack meshing with said gear, apivoted arm carrying said rack, a vertically movable plunger, means forreciprocating the plunger, a link pivotally coupled to said plunger andprovided with a notch, a clutch pin on said arm for engagement by saidnotch, and meansfor swinging said link on its pivot/to cause engagementor disengagement of the notch and in. P 17., In a washing machine, andin combi nation, a frame, a tub pivotally mounted therein, a gearoperatively connected with the tub, a toothed element meshing with saidgear, a rotary drive shaft, a motor for rotating-said shaft, a worm onsaid drive shaft,

a gear'housing enclosing said worm, a vertically movable plunger havingone end in said gear housing, motion-converting mechanism within saidhousing, connecting the worm and plunger for causing reciprocation ofthe plunger as the worm rot-ates, and a connection between the plungerand said toothed element.

18. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, a gear housing supported by the frame, a vertical shaftmounted in said hous- 1 ing, an open cam having a hub connected withsaid shaft to be rotated thereby, a pair of cam rollers running on-theopposite faces of said cam, a cross-head carrying said rollers, avertically reciprocating plunger connected to said cross-head, meansconnected with said plunger for causing the tub to be rocked uponreciprocation of the plunger,

and means for rotating said shaft.

19. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, a gear housing supported by the frame, a vertical shaftmounted in said housing, a worm gear keyed to said shaft adjacent thelower end thereof, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a rotary driveshaft for rotating said worm, an open cam having a hub, above the wormgear and connected with said vertical shaft to be rotated thereby, apinion keyed to the vertical shaft above the hub of the cam, a gearmeshing therewith, a second vertical shaft on which said gear ismounted, and means operated by the rotation of the cam for causing thetub to be rocked as the cam rotates.

20. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted in the frame to rock endwise, means for rocking the tub, ahousing for the frame comprising fixed side panels and upper andlowerend panelshingedly connected with the frame to swing outwardly, andsprings connecting the upper end panels and the frame to yieldably holdsaid panels closed.

21. In a washing machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame in whichthe tub is pivotally mounted, a gear connected with said tub and locatedbetween the side of the tub and the frame, and means, including atoothed element reciprocating in a substantially vertical plane andmeshing with said gear, for rocking the tub.

22. In a -washing'machine, and in combination, a tub, a frame, a pivotrod connecting opposite sides of the frame and on which the tub ispivotally mounted, a gear concentric with said rod and secured to thetub between the tub and the frame, and means, including a toothedelement reciprocating in a substantially vertical plane meshing withsaid gear, for rocking the tub. 28. In a washing machine, and incombination, a tub, a frame, a pivot rod connecting opposite sides ofthe frame, bosses connected with the tub and journaled on said pivotrod, a gear secured to one of said bosses and journaled on said pivotrod, and means, including a toothed element reciprocating in asubstantially vertical plane meshing with said gear, for rocking thetub.

24. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gearkeyed thereto, a 'cam freely mounted on said shaft and rotatablyconnected with said gear, a vertically reciprocable plunger, a camroller connected therewith to ride on said cam, whereby rotation of thecam causes reciprocation of the plunger, a frame, a tub pivotallymounted therein, a connection between the plunger and the tub forcausing the tub to rock as the plunger reciprocates,and means forrotating said gear.

25. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gearkeyedthereto, means for rotating said gear, an open cam having anelongated hub freely mounted on said shaft and having a tongue andgroove connection with said gear, a vertically slidable plunger, camrollers connected with said plunger toride on the opposite faces of saidcam, whereby the plun er'is reciprocated as the cam rotates, a fi'ame, atub pivotally mounted therein, and a connection between the tub and theplunger for causing the tub to rock as the plunger reciprocates.

26. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a gear housingsupported by the frame, a vertical shaft mounted in said housing, a wormgear keyed to said shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, a worm meshingwith said worm gear, a rotary drive shaft for rotating said worm, anopen cam, having a hub, above the worm gear and connected with saidvertical shaft to be rotated thereby, a pinion keyed to the verticalshaft above the hub of the cam, a gear meshing therewith, a secondvertical shaft on which said gear is mounted, a plunger verticallyreciprocated by the cam, and means connected with said plunger foroperating a washing element. i

27. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a gear housingsupported thereby, a vertical shaft mounted in said housing, a worm gearkeyed to said shaft, a worm meshing with said worm gear, a rotary driveshaft for rotating said worm, an open cam, having a hub, above the wormgear and connected with said vertical shaft to be rotated thereby, avertically reciprocable plunger, upper and lower cam rollers connectedwith said plunger and riding on said cam, and a reciprocable element foroperating a washing element connected with said plunger.

28. In a washing machine, and in combination, a frame, a washing elementassociated therewith, a rotary drive shaft, a motor for rotating saidshaft, a worm on said drive shaft, a housing enclosing said worm, avertically reciprocable plunger having one end in said housing,motion-converting mechanism within the housing, connecting the worm andplunger to cause reciprocation of the plunger as the worm rotates, and aconnection including a pivoted reciprocable arm between said plunger andthe washing element.

29. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gearkeyed thereto, a cam freely mounted on said shaft and rotatablyconnected with said gear, a vertically reciprocable plunger, a cafnroller connected therewith to ride on said cam, where by rotation of thecam causes reciprocation of the plunger, a frame, a washing elementassociated therewith and a connection between the plunger and thewashing element for causing operation of the .latter as the plungerreciprocates, and means for rotating said gear.

30. In a washing machine, and in combination, a vertical shaft, a gearrotatably associated therewith, means for rotating said gear, an opencam having an elongated hub freely mounted on said shaft and having aconnection with said gear to cause rotation therewith, a verticallyslidable plunger, cam rollers connected with said plunger to ride onopposite faces of the cam, whereby the plunger is reciprocated as thecam rotates, a washing element, and a connection between the washingelement and the plunger for,

causing operation of the washing element as the plunger reciprocates.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands.

JOSEPH F. LAMB. ERNEST TWIGG.

